Antwaan Randle El calls Bears offense in 34-10 win

Chicago Bears wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El handled offensive playcalling for the second half of Saturday’s preseason game, a switch that coincided with a 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Head coach Ben Johnson made the change at halftime, handing Randle El the headset as part of an in-game coaching test.

With Randle El directing the offense after the break, Chicago put together a decisive stretch that included 24 unanswered points. The team also posted 235 total yards and 12 first downs in the second half, according to figures cited in the team’s postgame discussion.

Execution with Case Keenum and Miller Moss Randle Johnson’s halftime handoff as a live coaching test Johnson said the move was planned and fit Johnson said the move was planned and fit into a broader approach designed to give assistants real responsibility in game conditions. He described the preseason as a practical setting to evaluate staff under pressure, where decisions must be made quickly and communicated clearly, without the full consequences that come with the regular season. Johnson said the is to see how assistants handle situational football while maintaining organization and control of the full operation. He added that those live repetitions can prepare coaches for larger jobs, while also giving a head coach a clearer view of leadership and decision-making in real time. Execution with Case Keenum and Miller Moss Randle El managed the play sequence for quarterbacks Case Keenum and Miller Moss during the second half. Players credited his communication and his ability to align concepts with what a quarterback wants, pointing to how instructions and adjustments were relayed on the sideline. Players also noted that Randle El’s professional playing background shaped the way he delivered messages in the moment. The second-half output, highlighted by the points surge and sustained yardage, turned the game into a one-sided final score.

Keenum’s assessment and Johnson’s view of future roles

Keenum spoke positively about Randle El’s presence, highlighting his “demeanor in front of the team” and “leadership qualities.” Keenum added that he believes Randle El “knows he’s going to be a head coach.” He also said Randle El has traits that Johnson said the coaching trial is designed to test assistants in situations that demand fast decisions, clear messaging, and control of situational football. He also said Randle El has traits that could fit future offensive coordinator or head coaching opportunities in the NFL.

A preseason development model the Bears have used before Johnson framed the approach as a repeatable preseason template. This is the second consecutive preseason in which he has turned offensive playcalling over to an assistant as a developmental exercise.

Johnson previously used the same idea with Declan Doyle in 2025. Doyle served as Johnson’s offensive coordinator during Johnson’s first season in Chicago and later became the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.

For the Bears, the immediate takeaway from Saturday’s switch was the second-half production that pushed the result out of reach. Johnson said the larger outcome is gaining a clearer read on how assistants operate when they are asked to run the offense end-to-end in a live environment.